This Fast-Food Chain Has the Most US Locations, and It’s Not McDonald’s

Food

Published: June 23, 2024 12:10 pm

On June 25, 2024, McDonald’s will launch their latest deal in the fast food “Value-Menu War”. For the next month, you can purchase a combo meal with fries, a drink, and either four chicken nuggets, a McDouble, or a McChicken sandwich for just $5.

This is just one of many new budget-friendly items rolling out at McDonald’s during the current “Fast Food War”. Other franchises like Wendy’s, Taco Bell, and Burger King are following suit as they offer their own value items starting at just $5 or $6.

This “Fast Food War” was brought on by countless complaints across platforms like YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok as consumers lamented about the rising prices of fast food. Remember the good old days when you could swing by Wendy’s for a $5 lunch? Such budget-friendly prices seemed a thing of the past until this summer. Now fast food chains are rolling out their value menus in addition to additional discounts when you order through their mobile apps. (These are the most popular fast-food chains in all 50 states.)

The new value items are a welcome relief for budget-conscious consumers, particularly in America where fast food is king. A 2023 survey from Drive Research showed that 96% of Americans indulge in fast food at least once a year, and the average citizen eats it at least once a week. The sheer number of fast-food restaurants in the U.S. makes these options readily available for many Americans.

To determine which fast food franchises have the most locations in the United States, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed Quick-Service Restaurant (QSR), a leading authority on news and trends in the fast food industry.

Why Are We Writing About Fast Food?

Restaurant worker serving two fast food meals with smile. woman holding tray with salads at fast food restaurant

Fast food is often considered synonymous with America, especially for younger generations who spend a good part of their paycheck on these quick and easy meal options. The sheer number of locations of any given fast-food chain demonstrates the wealth and economic power they wield, significantly impacting not only the food service industry but also the health and economy of the communities they operate in.

Here are the fast-food chains with the most locations in the United States:

50. Shake Shack

U.S. Locations: 287
Food Category: Burgers

49. Krispy Kreme

U.S. Locations: 352
Food Category: Donuts

48. In-N-Out Burger

U.S. Locations: 379
Food Category: Burgers

47. Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

U.S. Locations: 456
Food Category: Burgers

46. El Pollo Loco

U.S. Locations: 490
Food Category: Mexican Food

45. McAlister’s Deli

U.S. Locations: 525
Food Category: Sandwiches

44. Del Taco

U.S. Locations: 591
Food Category: Mexican Food

43. Moe’s Southwest Grill

U.S. Locations: 637
Food Category: Mexican Food

42. Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers

U.S. Locations: 646
Food Category: Chicken

41. Dutch Bros Coffee

U.S. Locations: 671
Food Category: Coffee

40. Crumbl Cookies

Crumbl Cookies in Petaluma, California by Missvain — Crumbl Cookies is the only franchise specializing in cookies to appear in the list.

U.S. Locations: 688
Food Category: Cookies

39. Qdoba

Qdoba by Senapa — Qdoba is dedicated to “making the world a more flavorful place.”

U.S. Locations: 728
Food Category: Mexican Food

38. Bojangles

U.S. Locations: 788
Food Category: Chicken

37. Checkers/Rally’s

U.S. Locations: 806
Food Category: Burgers

36. Church’s Texas Chicken

Churchs Texas Chicken by Sikander Iqbal — Church’s is known as “Texas Chicken” outside the Americas, so the chain recently changed its name to “Church’s Texas Chicken.”

U.S. Locations: 812
Food Category: Chicken

35. Culver’s

Culvers by Michael Rivera — The Culver’s ButterBurger is a beefy delight.

U.S. Locations: 892
Food Category: Burgers

34. Zaxby’s

Zaxbys by Michael Rivera — Zaxby’s is famous for its chicken fingers, wings, and sandwiches.

U.S. Locations: 922
Food Category: Chicken

33. Whataburger

U.S. Locations: 925
Food Category: Burgers

32. Marco’s Pizza

Marcos Pizza by Mjrmtg — Marco’s Pizza has locations in 35 states.

U.S. Locations: 1,067
Food Category: Pizza

31. Carl’s Jr.

Carl's Jr Restaurant — Most Carl’s Jr. locations are in the western U.S.

U.S. Locations: 1,068
Food Category: Burgers

30. Papa Murphy’s

Papa Murphys by Crackerfist1010 — Papa Murphy’s “Take’N’Bake” pizza allows customers to bake their pizza in their own homes.

U.S. Locations: 1,168
Food Category: Pizza

29. Firehouse Subs

U.S. Locations: 1,187
Food Category: Sandwiches

28. Tropical Smoothie Cafe

Tropical Smoothie Cafe by Michael Rivera — Some of the most popular smoothies from Tropical Smoothie Cafe include the Bahama Mama, Acai Berry Boost, Island Green, and Sunrise Sunset.

U.S. Locations: 1,198
Food Category: Smoothies

27. Five Guys

Five Guys by JJBers from Willimantic, Connecticut, USA — Five Guys is famous for its burgers and freshly made boardwalk-style fries.

U.S. Locations: 1,409
Food Category: Burgers

26. Hardee’s

Hardees by Michael Steeber from USA — Hardee’s serves burgers, but fans know that the breakfast (especially the biscuits) is the real star of the show.

U.S. Locations: 1,707
Food Category: Burgers

25. Wingstop

U.S. Locations: 1,721
Food Category: Chicken

24. Panera Bread

U.S. Locations: 2,102
Food Category: Sandwiches

23. Jack in the Box

U.S. Locations: 2,180
Food Category: Burgers

22. Baskin-Robbins

U.S. Locations: 2.253
Food Category: Ice Cream

21. Panda Express

U.S. Locations: 2,393
Food Category: Chinese Food

20. Jersey Mike’s Subs

Jersey Mikes Subs by Michael Rivera — Founded in New Jersey (obviously), Jersey Mike’s now has locations in all 50 states.

U.S. Locations: 2,397
Food Category: Sandwiches

19. Jimmy John’s

Jimmy Johns by Kzoo Cowboy — Popular sandwiches at Jimmy John’s include The Pepe, Big John, and the Vito.

U.S. Locations: 2,637
Food Category: Sandwiches

18. Chick-fil-A

U.S. Locations: 2,837
Food Category: Chicken

17. Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen

U.S. Locations: 2,946
Food Category: Chicken

16. Chipotle Mexican Grill

Exterior - Chipotle Mexican Gr... by Aranami — Chipotle is a favorite for burritos, bowls, and it’s famous guacamole.

U.S. Locations: 3,129
Food Category: Mexican Food

15. Papa John’s

U.S. Locations: 3,376
Food Category: Pizza

14. Arby’s

An Arby's Restaurant In Dawsonville, Georgia — Arby’s welcomes carnivores with its well-known slogan, “We have the meats.”

U.S. Locations: 3,415
Food Category: Roast Beef

13. Sonic

U.S. Locations: 3,546
Food Category: Burgers

12. Kentucky Fried Chicken

KFC by Harrison Keely — Colonel Sanders’ original recipe of 11 herbs and spices is still used today.

U.S. Locations: 3,918
Food Category: Chicken

11. Little Caesars

U.S. Locations: 4,173
Food Category: Pizza

10. Dairy Queen

U.S. Locations: 4,307
Food Category: Burgers

9. Wendy’s

U.S. Locations: 5,994
Food Category: Burgers

8. Pizza Hut

U.S. Locations: 6,561
Food Category: Pizza

7. Domino’s

U.S. Locations: 6,686
Food Category: Pizza

6. Burger King

U.S. Locations: 7,043
Food Category: Burgers

5. Taco Bell

U.S. Locations: 7,198
Food Category: Mexican Food

4. Dunkin’ Donuts

U.S. Locations: 9,370
Food Categories: Donuts/Coffee

3. McDonald’s

McDonald's drive-thru — McDonald’s is synonymous with American fast food, but two other franchises have more U.S. locations than the Golden Arches.

U.S. Locations: 13,444
Food Category: Burgers

2. Starbucks

U.S. Locations: 15,873
Food Category: Coffee

1. Subway

U.S. Locations: 20,576
Food Category: Sandwiches

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Read more: Food, burgers, cheap food, fast food, fries, hamburgers, McDonalds, restaurants, Starbucks, Subway, Taco Bell

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